



Members of the College Debating Society travelled to Queen’s University, Belfast on Tuesday, 21st of February to take part in the Annual Schools Cup competition.
Organised by The Literary and Scientific Society (Literific - which was originally founded in 1850), the event aims to provide ‘a forum for reasoned discussion’ in order to ‘encourage and develop the art of debating’ so that young people can confidently engage with social, political and cultural issues that are relevant to them.
Teams from schools right across the north participated in the competition, and first up, St Malachy’s were drawn against Thornhill College in the opening round. Opposing the motion, ‘This House would punch a Nazi’, Caolan McKee and Johnny McNamee impressed with the logic and development of their arguments including the depth of their research. In addition, both students were commended for their manner and poise and as such, were eventual winners.
In the second debate, St Malachy’s faced an organised team from Methodist College; this time proposing the motion - ‘This house believes that climate change is too important to leave to democracy’. Again, Caolan and Johnny‘s manner, rhetoric and teamwork gained high praise; the College were placed fourth overall after the morning session.
The afternoon began with a workshop; it saw competitors from all schools flex their verbal and mental dexterity during a series of games designed to improve the ability to reason and articulate opinions under pressure.
Although the St Malachy’s just missed out on a spot in the final, all students involved thoroughly enjoyed the event and are already looking forward to next year’s competition.
We would like to thank Literific for hosting the event and I would like congratulate those involved for being excellent ambassadors for the College.